THE IMPACT OF SINGLE~PARENT FAMILY STRUCTURE ON THE

CHILD’S EMOTIONAL, MENTAL AND SOCIAL~ECONOMICAL

WELL~BEING IN MOROTO DISTRICT, KARAMOJA

REGION NORTH EASTERN UGANDA

BY

JAPIEL SALIM

BDS/37232/ 121/DU

A RESEARCH REPORT SUBMITTED TO THE COLLEGE OF

HUMANITIES AND SOCIAL SCIENCES IN PARTIAL

FULFILLMENT FOR THE REQUIREMENTS OF

THE AWARD OF A BACHELOR’S DEGREE

IN DEVELOPMENT STUDIES OF

KAMPALA INTERNATIONAL

UNIVERSITY

APRIL, 2015

DECLARATION

I JAPIEL SALIM do hereby declare that this research report has been purely my own

effort and has never been submitted by anybody for the Award of Degree in any

University or institution of higher learning.

RESEARCH ER

JAPIEL SALIM

Signature*

Date:

APPROVAL

This research report has been done under my supervision and ready to be submitted to

the College of Humanities and Social Sciences for examination with my approval.

SUPERVISOR

MPABAISI K. TOM

signature/li1

Date:

DEDICATION

This report is dedicated to my beloved Mum Aujo Amelenia and Hon. Aleper Simon

Peter, Sisters: Atim Zainab, Achan Zubeda, Achiro Fatuma, Awoko Dawa; Brothers:

Ogengo Shaban, Lomilo Ibrahim, Obonyo Musa, Onecho Juma and my late father

Japiem Ali Murisal.

III

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

First and foremost, I give Honour and Glory to the Almighty God who gave me good

health, wisdom, knowledge and hope in this study.

During the preparation of this research paper, I was blessed by many people whose

contribution, correction and encouragement made the task much easier and up to its

final completion.

A special note of thanks goes to my beloved Mum Aujo Amelenia and Hon. Aleper

Simon Peter, Sisters: Atim Zainab, Achan Zubeda, Achiro Fatuma, Awoko Dawa;

Brothers: Ogengo Shaban, Lomilo Ibrahim, Obonyo Musa, Onecho Juma and my late

father Japiem Ali Murisal.

I am most grateful to my supervisor Mr. Mpabaisi K. Tom whose close supervision,

guidance and thoughtful insights helped me get a clear view to write th!s report.

May the Lord bless you all.

iv

TABLE OF CONTENTS

DECLARATION

APPROVAL ii

DEDICATION iii

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT iv

TABLE OF CONTENTS v

LIST OF TABLES ix

ABSTRACT x

CHAPTER ONE~ I

I NTRODLJCTION~ 1

1.1 Background of the study I

1.2 Statement of the Problem 2

1.3 Objectives 2

1.3.1 General Objective 2

1.3.2 Specific Objectives 2

1.4 Research Questions 3

1.5 Significance of the study 3

CHAPTER 1W0

RE’~IIE’tAI OF RELi~1’ED LITERA1LJRE 4

2.0 Introduction 4

2.1 Reasons for Single Parenthood 4

2.2 Single parent characteristics 6

2.3 Problems encountered in single parenting 7

2.4 Children’s Basic Rights & single parenting (Reflect on the Conventions) 10

2.4.1 United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child 10

2.4.2 The African Charter 11

V

2.4.3 Constitution of Uganda~ 11

2.5 Government action 12

2.6 Community Based Organizations (CBO5) and Non Governmental Organizations

(NGO5) 13

2.7 Conclusion 14

cIIAPrER 1’HREE U~~ftflfttd~d~flUU*bU~ 1.5

~ E~1I1ODOLOG’Y’ ,,,,.uaauw.a..ou...n~ua.u.nubug.*...s.,..uuu.,~ 15

3.0 Introduction 15

3.1 Research sign 15

3.2 Area and the Population 15

3.3 Sample Framework 15

3.3.1 Sample Size 15

3.3.2 Sample Technique 16

3.3.3 Sample Procedure 16

3.4 Methods and tools of data colledion 16

3.4.2 Sources of data 17

3.5 Data Processing 17

3.6 Data Analysis 18

3.7 Ethical Considerations 18

CHAPTE~~. FOLJ~~ 19

PRESENTATION AND ANALYSIS OF THE FINDINGS 19

4.1 Biographic characteristics of the respondents 19

4.1.1 Age 19

4.1.2 Sex 20

4.1.3 Occupation 21

4.1.4 Education 22

4.1.5 Reasons for single parenting 23

4.1.6 Number of children 25

vi

4.2 Causes of single parenthood. 26

4.2.1 Loss of spouse 26

4.2.2 Divorced 27

4.2.3 Early pregnancies 27

4.2.4 Prostitution 27

4.3 Problems experienced in single parenting 27

4.3.1 Lack of respect 28

4.3.2 Low self esteem 28

4.3.3 Lack of financial support 29

4.3.4 High dependency ratio 29

4.3.5 Low incomes 29

4.4. Effects of single parenthood on child development and welfare 30

4.4.1 No education 30

4.4.2 Inadequate scholastic materials 31

4.4.3 Food Insecurity 31

4.4.4 Inadequate access to medical services 31

4.4.5 Forced Labour 32

4.4.6 Dispossession of property 32

4.5 Interventions to help out single parents out of the social challenges they

experience 33

4.5.1 Sensitization 33

4.5.2 Loans and credit schemes 34

4.5.3 Small scale projects 34

4.5.4 Scholarships for children 34

4.5.5 Enactment of laws 34

4.6 Conclusion 35

VII

CHAPrER FIVE~uu,.,nat..u.u.,.n, 5,,,,. Sn 5555 36

DISCUSSION, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS5.~ 36

5.1 Discussion 36

5.2 Conclusions 37

5.3 Recommendations 38

5.3.1 Recommendations to the government 38

5.3.2 Recommendations to Non Governmental Organizations 39

5.3.3 Recommendations to the local community 40

REFERENCES 41

APPENDIX I 43

QUESTIONNAIRE FOR PSYCHO-SOCIAL BACKROUND OF THE SINGLE PARENT 43

APPENDIX II 45

QUESTIONNAIRE FOR PSYCHO-SOCIAL BACKROUND OF THE CHILD 45

VIII

LIST OF TABLES

Table I: Age distribution of respondents 19

Table II: Sexual distribution of respondents 20

Table III: Occupation of respondents 21

Table IV: Education levels of respondents 22

Table V: Marital status of respondents 24

Table VI: Number of children in single parent families 25

Table VII: Causes of single parenthood in Moroto District 26

Table VIII: Problems experienced in single parenting 28

Table IV: Number of children in single parents families 30

Table X: Intervention to help single parents solve their challenges 33

ix

ABSTRACT

This study aimed at assessing the Impact of Single — Parent Family Structure on the

Child’s Emotional, Mental and Social — Economical Well-being in Moroto District,

Karamoja, North Eastern Uganda.

The general objective of the research was to examine the impact of single parent

family structure on the child’s emotional, mental and social — economical well — being in

Moroto District and the study had the following specific objectives; To identify problems

encountered in single parenting, To examine how single parenting affects the psycho

social well — being of children and To find out actions taken by the government and

other stakeholders on the problem of single parenting in Moroto district.

The findings of the study were; single parenting is brought about by loss of spouse,

divorce, early pregnancies, prostitution.

The study concluded and designed recommendations for the different stakeholders to

address the problem of single parenthood which is rising and with significant effects on

child welfare and development.

x

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

Li Background of the study

Single parenting is already becoming a rapidly growing trend in the society. Globally,

one-quarter to one-third of all families are headed by single parents. Studies show, that

in the US alone, there are four single parents to every ten parents and there are two

single parents for every 10 adults. There was a dramatic increase in single-parent

families in the United States in the last three decades of the twentieth century; oly 13

percent of families were headed by a single parent in 1970. Over one-fourth of children

in the United States lived with a single parent in 1996, double the proportion in 1970.

Historically, single-parent families were the result of parental death; about one-fourth of

children born around the turn of the nineteenth century experienced the death of a

parent before they reached age fifteen (Amato 2000). It has been estimated in Africa

that 50 percent of children born in recent cohorts will spend some part of their

childhood with a single parent as a result of military duty, imprisonment, separation,

divorce, HIV/AIDS, or out-of-marriage births. In countries such as Ghana, Kenya,

Rwanda, more than 25 percent of households are headed by women (Rogers, 1996).

The Demographic and Health Survey,(DHS) basing on 2002 census data (UBOS, 2006)

revealed that single parents head 40% of all Households (HHs) in the country. The

Uganda DHS 2008 reports that four out of every five children live with at least one

parent. According to the poverty headcount (The Poverty Eradication Action Plan

[PEAP], 2008), for male and female Headed households (FHH) in Uganda, FHH were

found to be poorer than Male Headed Households (MHH) and this trend, it was shown,

continues to rise. This is more common in urban areas than in the rural areas.

Consequently, single parent families are among the poorest households in Uganda.

1

1.2 Statement of the Prob~em

The children of the world are innocent, vulnerable, and dependent. They are also

curious, active, and full of hope. Their time should be one of joy and peace, of playing,

learning, and growing. Their future should be shaped in harmony and co-operation.

Their lives should nurture as they broaden their perspectives and gain new experiences.

Unfortunately that is not the case, literature proves that majority of families in Uganda

are low-income families with many children. The face of children in Uganda is in

psycho-social,’ mental, economical and intellectual dilemma. Children living at home

with both parents grow up with more psycho-social, mental, economical and intellectual

advantages than their counterparts in one parent’s family. Not having a mother or a

father affects children more than thought. It is said that a typical family in Uganda

consists of a single parent and six children living in a one-roomed house in an area.

There is enough data to prove that the government of Uganda has done a lot to help

the children in general however concerning issues of children in single families in

particular and most especially in Uganda, there is scarcity of information to explain this.

This study will therefore examine family based economic and social pathways and

family structure and how they impact on the child’s psychological and intellectual

.resources such as a sense of self-esteem, self-control, and self-efficacy and class

performance which are perhaps health-promoting resources distinct from economic

power and social development.

1.3 Objectives

1.3.1 Genera~ Objective

To examine the impact of single-parent family structure on the child’s emotional, mental

and social-economical well-being in Moroto district.

1.3.2 Specific Objectives

(i) To identify problems encountered in single parenting.

(ii) To examine how single parenting affects the psycho-social wellbeing of

children in Moroto district.

2

(iii) To find out actions taken by the Government and other stakeholders on the

problem of single parenting.

1.4 Research Questions

(i) What are the problems encountered in single parenting?

(ii) How does single parenting affect the psycho-social well being of the child?

(iii) The role of the government to address the problem of single parenting in

Uganda

1.5 S~gniflcance of the study

(i) The research findings will stimulate and enable single parents, guardians to

be able to realize the psychological effects of children’s wellbeing and

contribute towards promoting better relationship between them and the

society.

(ii) The study will help development practitioners to recognize the impact of

single parenting to children’s wellbeing in Uganda hence offer necessary

intervention for the affected groups.

(iii) The study will sensitize the public about the topic of study which may be a

remedy of itself towards reducing the problem of single parenthood.

(iv) At the policy level, the research findings will provide suggestion on a more

consultative and participatory approach and making possible improvements

for joint actions among/between all actors.

(v) The study is an important requirement for the attainment of KIU Degree in

Development Studies.

(vi) The study therefore will act as guide to future researchers in the same

category since there is little research of this kind in Uganda.

3

CHAPTER TWO

REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE

2~O Introduction

The term single parent (also lone parent and sole parent) means a parent with one or

more children, who is not living with the child[ren]’s other parent. The legal definition of

single parenthood may vary according to local laws of nations or provinces (Bronson,

Single Parents: October 9, 2006). Basically it is one parent having to serve a dual-

parent role, that of both mother and father to a child or children in the extended or

permanent absence of the other parent. Single parent families are of interest to

sociologists because the cultural values of most societies dictate that children be raised

by two parents and that, preferably, these parents should be married or, at the very

least, cohabiting. Families that deviate from this norm often differ from two-parent

families in other ways, especially in their higher poverty rate and recourse to welfare

and in their children’s social outcomes. Thus, they are also a concern for policy makers

and society at large.

2~1 Reasons for Sing~e Parenthood

The reasons for single parenting are not as narrow as you may think. Here are two

common reasons why people involuntarily become or choose to become a single parent.

Divorce is probably the number one reason why someone becomes a single parent and

delves into the waters of single parenting. It is said that the number one cause of

divorce in the United States is a no fault divorce or irreconcilable differences. What this

basically means is that the two parents could not get along, were not compatible, or

just simply did not want to be married anymore. While this may sound like an “easy

way out,” rest assured that almost everyone who goes through a divorce (especially

when children are involved), think long and hard about it. It is a very difficult decision

to make, and knowing that the children will no longer be the same is a huge factor in

deciding to divorce and become a single parent.

4

Not being married is another common reason why someone would be practicing single

parenting. Women who become pregnant outside of marriage no longer have the social

stigma to marry the man who impregnated them. Instead, many women chose to have

their baby without the help of a husband. In fact, many women who were never

married are single parents without the aid of the father at all. This could be for many

reasons, including that the father wanted no part in the child’s life and that the mother

made the decision, based on the father’s lifestyle, simply not to tell the father that she

was pregnant. This presents probably some of the hardest single par’~nting obstacles.

The child’s father is not there to provide financial or emotional support and in this case,

the mother ends up doing everything with only the help of family and possibly

government programs.

Adoption another reason for single parenting is a process whereby a person assumes

the parenting for another who is not kin and, in so doing, permanently transfers all

rights an responsibilities from the original parent or parents. Unlike guardianship or

other systems designed for the care of the young, adoption is intended to effect a

permanent change in status and as such requires societal recognition, either through

legal or religious sanction. Historically some societies have enacted specific laws

governing adoption whereas others have endeavoured to achieve adoption through less

formal means, notably via contracts that specified inheritance rights and parental

responsibilities. Modern systems of adoption, arising in the 20th century, tend to be

governed by comprehensive statutes and regulations. (Tom Kingston, Families in Rush

to Adopt a Foreign Child, Guardian, January 28, 2007).

Death of one parent leads to single parenthood. This can be due to H1V/AIDS, wars

becoming a single parent due to the death of a spouse and co-parent has special

challenges for both the parent and child. Not only are you dealing with your own grief

and assisting your child(ren) in dealing with their grief, but you are also being forced to

adjust to being the only parent. This is one time when it is perfectly acceptable to feel

dike screaming, “Life just is not fair!” It certainly isn’t. First and foremost, dealing with

5

the death of the spouse and co-parent should be your top priority. However~ you and

your child(ren) will deal with that pain in different ways and on different time

schedules.

There is some evidence such as in countries like America that a majority of younger

Americans no longer believe that being married is necessarily better than being single,

even though survey respondents have indicated that they anticipate getting married

themselves and believe that it is better for children to grow up in a family with both

parents.” For young people who are poor, however, the attitude toward marriage and

childbearing often seems rooted in a belief that it doesn’t really matter whether or not

they marry or whether or not they have children at an early age or later in life, because

their lives will not improve in any case (Poussaint A. F, Single Parenthood: Implications

For American Society, 1997: Texas).

2~2 Sing~e parent characteristics

Single parenthood can be very challenging. Single parents are very likely to include

their children in the day-to-day running of the family. The children may have to share

more responsibility of doing chores and looking after themselves than other children.

Single parents often discuss things with their children that parents in two parent

families often discuss with each other (e.g. the shopping list, what to do over school

holidays).

Many parents and children have to adjust to children moving between the household of

both parents.

Children from single parent households who have been given a lot of say at home

sometimes have difficulties at school because they expect to be treated in the same

way by teachers. Often there is less money to manage with one parent than in two

parent homes where many have a double income.

6

2.3 Prob~ems encountered in sing’e parenting

Single parents face immense problems in bringing up children. If you are or are about

to become a single parent, you may think that you are alone. The worry of having to

provide solely for your children off of your own income, become both mother and father

to your children, and try to provide them with everything that they need may be the

only thing on your mind. You may think that it’s your fault that your children will be

growing up with you as a single parent.

Parenting a baby alone can be very stressful for any parent. Babies need 24 hour care

and parents need breaks, someone to talk to and someone who can provide help and

support, earning money to cover the costs of schooling and daily living; this lack of

income and capital, combined with inadequate nutrition, education, shelter and health

contribute towards a cycle of extreme poverty that causes many single parents to have

mental and emotional breakdowns.

The financial crisis is a major area of dread for most of single parent families. One has

to learn to be interdependent, give and receive; taking our own responsibilities and

asking for support and engaging even professional help, when needed. However, this

financial crisis may not be in some of the well-off single parent families and not a

common feature of these families. A single-parent family often has to shuffle schedules,

hope they don’t lose their job over sick children, wonder if they will have to work three

jobs instead of two, tell the children no way too often. The first day of school may be

tough for the parent and child knowing they are going to school with last years tennis

shoes on or worse still on bare foot.

The supervision and instruction of children is often dramatically reduced in homes with

only one adult. The child may experience many adult responsibilities far earlier. There

are many examples of how this often results in much higher rates of motor vehicle

accidents, drug and alcohol experimentation, and teen pregnancy.

7

Children from single parent families who have considerable freedom and independence

in family affairs may experience difficulty at school, where more age-appropriate

direction and guidance is available from a larger number of adults.

For the vast majority of children opportunities for genuine participation are limited both

by the authoritarian culture and by the impact of poverty from early childhood right

through the life cycle of the child. Many children are condemned by poverty to engage

in income generating activities to assist their parents, limiting not only their

opportunities to continue in school but also their chances to participate in other types of

social and cultural activity beneficial to their physical mental and psycho-social

development. For many children, the absence of a parent seems to have a profoundly

negative effect, domestic disarray adds to feelings of instability and insecurity.

Inadequate family incomes, as well as the constraints of time on children forced to

work, greatly hinders access to these types of opportunities. The concept of

participation is particularly difficult for disadvantaged, poor parents to understand

because they themselves are subject to exclusion.

Authoritarian child rearing methods are partly a natural reflex, mirroring the pervasive

authoritarianism in society, as well as the deeply ingrained notions of hierarchy in

traditional culture. Evidence from different parts of the Global South suggests that

household headship is not a good predictor of the start that children have in life, nor

their trajectories into adolescence and adulthood. Not only do risks arise to children’s

wellbeing through discriminatory or hostile attitudes towards FHH in society at large,

gender dynamics within male-headed units can be just as prejudicial in this regard

(Delamonica et al, 2004).

Children with added disadvantages such as physical or mental disabilities as being a

marginalized group have fewer opportunities for education than other children, resulting

8

to lower levels of enrolment and in higher rates of illiteracy leading to limited

opportunities to obtain employment in later life.

The dynamics of family care have however undergone tremendous change for the

worse due to the spread of HIV/AIDS and the large resulting number of single

parenting children.

The Family Care Practices Survey (2003) found that 93% of children have mothers as

their main care giver, where as 2% have their fathers as the main caregiver. (MOH,

2003. Family Care Practices Survey: P21). An estimated 85% of the mothers time is

pent away form their children due to outside home work or household chores (MoE &

M0H, 2003b. P:39).

Single parents commonly experience difficulties with role identity. Some social stigma is

still attached to single-parent status, regardless of how it was acquired. For single

mothers, development of positive role identity is often hampered by their inability to

support their families financially. Single parents often experience role strain from

attempting to balance wage- earner and parental responsibilities.

Lack of formal education and consequently of j oh skills limits access to occupations

that provide enough income for an acceptable standard of living. Women are

additionally hindered by socialization into traditionally female occupations that are low

paying, perpetuating the cycle of poverty (Burge, 1987).

Poverty is persistently linked with single-parent households, especially those headed by

women. Such families are the poorest of all major demographic groups in the United

States, Latin America and most parts of Africa (Garfinkel and McLanahan, 1986). Wage

differences between men and women arising from lack of labour and market

preparation or experience or from discrimination, reinforce low-income status.

9

Although child care is an issue for all parents, an overwhelming number of single

parents cannot afford high-quality day care a major barrier to attending career

development and skills training programs as well as to maintaining employment.

Z4 Children’s Basic Rights & single parenting (Reflect on the Conventions)

2~4i. United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child

Article (13) of the United Nations (UN)-Convention on the rights of the Child (1989)

states that Children have the right to an adequate standard of living. To this end,

States, Parties shall co-operate in the economic, social, cultural, scientific and technical

fields to promote economic and social progress through out the world and particularly in

the developing countries.

In particular, it is the responsibility of developing countries to establish a new

international order which will enable children to develop multi-dimensionally and make

it possible to meet the pressing needs of children of developing countries and in

particular to combat poverty and destitution, hunger, illiteracy, acculturation, ignorance

still births and infant mortality, disease and social evils.

The Parent(s) or those responsible for the child have the primary responsibility to

secure, within their financial possibilities and powers, the conditions of living necessary

healthy development of the child.

State Parties, in accordance with national conditions and within their means, shall take

appropriate measures to assist parents and others responsible for the child to

implement the right and, shall in case of need provide material assistance and support

programmes, particularly with regard to nutrition, clothing and housing.

10

2~4~2 The Afrkan Charter

The African charter on the Rights and Welfare of the African Child 1999, presented by

the Organization of African Unity under Article 20 in the Parental Responsibilities

recognizes that the child occupies a unique and privileged position in the African society

and that for the full and harmonious development of his personality. The child should

grow up in a family environment in an atmosphere of happiness, love and

understanding, parents or other persons responsible for the child shall ha-ye the

primary responsibility of the upbringing and development the child and shall have the

duty to ensure that the best interests of the child are their basic concern at all times, to

secure, within their abilities and financial capacities, conditions of living necessary to the

child’s development.

The Charter also states that States Parties shall in accordance with their means and

National conditions take all appropriate measures to assist parents and other persons

responsible for the child and in case of need provide material assistance and support

programmes particularly with regard to nutrition, health, education, clothing, housing

and others responsible for the child in the performance of child-rearing and ensure the

development of institutions responsible for providing care of children and to ensure that

the children of working parents are provided with care services and facilities.

2~4~3 Constitut~on of Uganda

The Children’s Statute enacted in 1996 and now the Children’s Act 2000 incorporated

specific provisions relating to children’s rights in that priority is given by the State to

health, care and guidance by the parent and non-discrimination of the child.

The severe political, economic and social difficulties facing Uganda among other

countries have had a negative impact on the situation of children. In particular, poverty,

armed conflict in the north and the HIV/AIDS pandemic has caused major difficulties.

There is also the problem of prejudicial traditional practices and customs, prevailing

particularly in rural areas that hamper the effective implementation of the provisions of

11

the Convention, especially with regard to the principles of non-discrimination, best

interests of the child and respect for the views of the child.

2~5 Government act~on

Uganda Government has made tremendous progress in the implementation of the

rights of children in the country. Issues of children are given special priority. Efforts

towards domestication of the rights of children have been intensified with the

enactment of the Children’s Statute in 1996, and now the Children’s ACT 2000. Several

other initiatives have been undertaken to enhance the rights of chldren under the

Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development.

A programme for promotion of the welfare of children and youth is being implement

through the child centered community development approach to assist and enable

children, their families, communities and the government to make lasting improvements

in the quality of their life. Under this approach, children, youth, women and men are

involved in identifying their problems, planning, implementing and monitoring the

programs.

A community Dialogue programme which provides an avenue for community

participation in contributing to development and implementation of programmes ror

children is also being implemented in several districts. In addition, a working committee

on juvenile Justice has been established in the Law and Justice Order Sector, while a

street children’s desk and guidelines for addressing the problem of street children have

also been put in place. These and other initiatives at the macro level such as

introduction of Universal Primary Education, the development of the Poverty reduction

Strategy among others; are expected to contribute significantly to promotion of

children’s rights and their overall welfare (Government of Uganda, Second Periodic

Report Of Uganda [CRC/C/65/ADD33, 2005]).

12

Z6 Community Based Organ~zations (CBOs) and Non Governmenta~

Organ~zat~ons (NGOs)

CBOs and NGOs exist in the contribution to improve children’s lives in many ways in

improving the lives of the disadvantaged families including single parent families and

children. There are few NGO5 that are working to help single parent families improve in

their wellbeing. Although they vary in scope, experiences, size and scale; from local

groups to International ones, they have played a vital role in trying to change the lives

of these single parent families.

The Single Parents Association of Uganda (SPA U, is Ugandan charitable organization

that aims to empower poor and marginalized single parents and their families in

Uganda to increase their household incomes and also aims to provide a forum through

which - marginalized Single Parents can fearlessly campaign for the respect of their

rights, especially to property and custody of their children, as equal members of

society.

Women Federation for Peace in Uganda (WFPU), since 1994 has been actively involved

in assisting many Ugandan single parent families (deprived mothers, orphans and

widows) by educating and equipping women especially, mothers and the girl-child in life

skills, developmental planning, growing cash crops and management, business

development to attain and lead more sustainable livelihoods using the resources

available to them. This is done through discussion groups, counseling and film shows

held regularly for school teachers, couples, families and single parents to improve on

parent- child communication and communication between couples both at village and

national level.

13

2~7 Condus~on

Uganda has domesticated most conventions relating to promotion of the rights of the

children. The government of Uganda’s establishment of policy frameworks and

guidelines have facilitated the implementation of these conventions through the

contribution of NGO5, CBOs and humanitarian agencies. The national level has showed

successes in policy development but this has not as yet had a trickle down effect and

benefits for children.

14

CHAPTER THREE

METHODOLOGY

3~.O Introduction

This chapter is about the methodological approaches used in the study. Specifically, it

describes research design, the area and population of the study, sample framework

which entails sample size, sampling techniques, research instruments and procedures

used for data collection, data management and analysis.

3d Research sign

This involved a case study design that helped the researcher to acquire data related to

the concepts under study. This was to narrow down the process of data collection and

analysis. The study was carried out basing on the research objectives and questions.

3~2 Area and the Population

Moroto District is located in the North Eastern part of Uganda. Moroto district has a

population of about 1.2 million inhabitants. It covers a total area of 195 sq. km of which

86.7% is land. The study population involved only single parents in Moroto district,

Karamoja region.

3.3 Sample Framework

Numerous methods were utilized to collect the necessary data. This helped to simplify

the acquisition of data that would be liable for scrutiny.

3~3d Sample Size

The study used a sample size of 80 respondents from various areas within Moroto

district. This sample was specifically composed of single parents with the exception of

key informants to triangulate the collected data.

15

3~3~2 Sampile Technique

The study employed purposive and snow ball sampling techniques to minimize the

scope of the study but also because it were only single parents that had the necessary

information. These parents were chosen purposively to consider gender relations and

therefore included both male and female single parents. The same procedure was used

to select key informants to provide information to the researcher and these included

local leaders and specific NGOs.

3~3.3 Samp~e Procedure

The researcher introduced herself to the local council chairperson with an introductory

letter from the university~ The chairperson introduced the researcher to the first

respondent of the study who thereafter referred the researcher to the proceeding

respondents. This procedure was used through out until the researcher was able to hit

the 80th mark as the last respondent was unable to refer her to other single parents

within the vicinity~ The key informants were selected on purpose to specifically target

those with the necessary information. The local leaders as witnesses to the single

parenthood scenario were used and the NGOs whose core programmes areas are single

parent families.

3A Methods and too~s of data collection

The study involved the use of various methods I tools to ensure effective data collection

and these included the following.

(I) Questionnaire

This is a predetermined set of questions that a researcher uses to collect data.

Questionnaires were designed in relation to the objectives of the study. The

questionnaires were administered by the researcher to collect data from the identified

single parents.

16

(II) Key Infonnant InterviewsThis is a data collection tool that Involves the use & face to face questioning of theinterviewee on specific Issues relating to the problem under study. These induded thelocal coundi leaders and the NGO offIdals. These, the researcher telt had relevantinformation to darify on the responses from the questionnaire. By the nature of theirjobs they were more informed about the problem under study and were thereforenecessary for verification of data.

3.4.2 Sources of data(I) PrimaryThis is the source from which the researcher collected the raw data that was analyzedby the researcher as the presentations and findings of the study. The primary data wascollected from the respondents by the use of key informant interviews andquestionnaires.

(II) SecondaryThis comprised of data that was obtained from the already exIsting texts, journals, online sources and other already exIstIng-literature related to the problem understood.These sources helped the researcher to Identify gaps that can be filled by carrying outthis research.

3.5 Data ProcessingThe findings got from the key informant Interviews and questionnaires were screenedand scrutinized to obtain Information that was relevant and reflect on the researchobjectives. This involved thematic analysis where by the researcher edited and groupedrelated data into the same theme.

17

3~6 Data An&ys~s

This consisted of an analytical discussion of the research findings based on the evidence

compiled with logical argument. Suggestions were put forward as well as

recommendations before concluding on the analysis of the findings.

3~7 Ethka~ Cons~derations

The data collected from the respondents was not used for any other purposes other

than academic reasons to compile this research. Data was treated confidentially to its

purposes so as not to cause exposure of people’s views to the public. The respondents

were informed that the researcher is therefore carrying out research related to

academic purposes.

18

CHAPTER FOUR

PRESENTATION AND ANALYSIS OF THE FINDINGS

This was done according to the objectives and research questions which acted as the

themes of the study. However, Biographic characteristics were also analyzed to assess

how they affect the results of the study.

4~1 Biographic characteristics of the respondents

4~L1 Age

This was intended to establish how the age of respondents influenced the results of the

study.

Tab’e I: Age distribution of respondents

Source: Field data, April 2015

From the study findings, l5% of the respondents, both male and female were in the

age range between 15 to 24 years, 26% of the respondents were between the age

120

100

80

60

40

20

Frequnecy

Percentages

15-24 25-34 35-44 45 and above Total

19

ranges of 25 to 34 years, 48 % of the respondents were between 35 to 44 years and

11% of the respondents were between 45 years and above years. This indicated that

the majority of respondents who were single parents lay in the ages between 35 to 44

years of age.

4~L2 Sex

This was aimed at establishing the sexual distribution of respondents and which sex

was affected heavily by single parent hood.

Table II: Sexual distr~but~on of respondents

Source: Field data, April 2015

From the research results, 62 % of the respondents were female with 38% of the

respondents’ male. This showed that women were highly affected by single parenthood

in Moroto district, Karamoja region. Just like in other parts as noted by the DHS report

of 2006. Women are more likely to take care of children single handed as opposed to

120 -

80

60 -jF— I

40f~—~-~~

2: HI~ Frequency

Percentages

Male Female Total

20

Men who are likely to remarry. They end up taking care of their children and have to

face the hardships of life.

4~L3 Occupation

This was intended to find out the occupation of respondents and how these occupations

influence the soclo-economic status of single parents thereby affecting~ children in such

House Holds.

Tabile III: Occupation of respondents

Basing on the research findings, 54% of the respondents were involved in farming

activities such as livestock farming and crop farming just about enough to support

themselves. Also from the graph, 13% of the respondents were involved in hiring out

their labour in which they are given very little money. These respondents explained that

that was all they could do since they did not have even the money to carry out a small

business. What they earned was mainly used for buying the household requirements.

Percentages

Farming

Hiring out labour

ii Food vendor

~ selling food by roadside

Source: Field data Aprii, 2015

21

29% of the respondents were involved in food vending activities that is they cooked

food and sold to the workers who were engaged in road repair (Northern By-pass),

shop and market dwellers while only 04% of the respondents were selling food stuffs

by the roadside. These occupations were being carried out as a coping mechanism for

single parents to earn some income and food for survival as most of the single parents

were not employed in the formal sector.

4~L4 Education

This was aimed at assessing the education levels of respondents.

Tab~e IV: Education lev&s of respondents

From the study results, 53% of the respondents obtained secondary level of education

because they were only able to afford up to this level. This indicates that most of the

single parents in Moroto district were of the secondary level of education. This is largely

attributed to irresponsible sexual behaviour during the adolescence stage which led to

Percentages

~a Primary

Secondary

~a Never been to school

Source: Field data Aprii, 2015

22

early pregnancies. Studies indicate that when one becomes a parent prematurely their

chances of formally getting educated are significantly reduced. On further investigation

it was revealed that these single parents mostly female were deceived by their spouses

before becoming pregnant by promising them good things since they were not from a

well off family background and expected more mostly from older men. The responsible

fathers continued with their education as opposed to females who were left with the

burden of taking care of babies or children. This resulted to the fathers abandoning

their children by either denying their children or not wanting to take care of their

children because of more important issues.

What was further discovered was that their children were not of the same father or

mother. The reason being that the parents weren’t intending to live together due to

differences between them. In most cases it was always the male spouse who

disappeared. The study also indicated that 21% of the respondents had never been to

school. The reasons for this category was that they either never wanted to go to school

and parents denied them to go to school because they had to look after the house fear

of being robbed off their home belongings as well as their younger siblings. Since the

parent was out attending to other duties most of the day and only returned after dark.

18% of the respondents only attended primary level because these respondents were

not able to afford to continue with school. Others got pregnant and were not able to

continue with school as they had no one to look after their children. Only O8% of the

respondents werel of the tertiary level. These respondents were able to find work but

in most cases underemployed.

4~L5 Reasons for sing~e parent~ng

This was intended to establish the reasons for single parenting for respondents who

were single parents.

23

TaWe V: Marita~ status of respondents

Percentages

Married

Single

ei Divorced

~ Widowed

Total

Basing on the study, results, 59% of the respondents were married but due to death of

the spouse became widowed. Other widow single parents stated that their spouses died

because they think had been bewitched by other lovers of the deceased. They were left

with no choice but to take care of their children. The study results indicated that 29%

of the respondents were single because O9% of the respondents were divorced and

only 03% of the respondents were widowed. Other causes of death were clue to

accidents. This left these women powerless and had to survive the hard way to look

after their children.

ISource; Field data Apr11, 2015

24

4~L6 Number of chHdren

This was aimed at finding out the number of children that the single parents cared for.

40

20

r~ frequency

Percentage

Basing on the study findings, 51% of the respondents had children between I and 3

33% of the respondents had between 4 and 5 children while l6% of the respondents

had between 6 and 8 children. This showed that most single parents had a burden to

cater for the needs of their children as all families had children. It was also noted that

the single parents with many children were generally in the older age bracket whose

spouses had died or separated after several years of marriage. Their separation was

mostly due to their spouses moving to other unknown areas without leaving a trace of

their where-abouts and also due having other preferred partners to live with. In most

cases these single parents were left at a state where they are unemployed. Further

Tab’e VI: Number of chUdren ~n s~ngDe parent famN~es

120

80

60

0

land3 4and5 6and8 Total

Source; Field Data Apri/, 2015

25

Source: Field data Apr14 2015

4~2..1 Loss of spouse

From the study findings, 3l% of the respondents showed that loss of spouse was one

of the major causes of single parenthood in Moroto district. This was being attributed to

many factors including natural death, diseases like Malaria, HIV/AID5, city murders and

accidents which have claimed lives leaving behind spouses. This was common among

parents aged 25 years and above. This left these parents to find a way of looking for

cheap accommodation in most cases semi-permanent or temporary houses.

Percentages

more, their spouses never liked there women to find employment claiming that they

would get other lovers.

4~2 Causes of sing~e parenthood

This was intended to establish the causes of single parent families in Moroto district.

Tabile VII: Causes of s~ng~e parenthood ~n Moroto distrkt

~Loss of spouse

Divorced

~JEarIy I~ Prostitution I

24

28

26

4.2.2 Divorced

It was further noted that 28% of the respondents revealed that divorce was one of the

causes of single parenthood in Moroto district. It was noted that in the society men

divorce their women of several reasons like poverty a norm that is increasingly

becoming common, to run from the responsibility of looking after the family and finding

refuge with other spouses. It was also being attributed to cases of cohabitation where

men found it easy to divorce their women with no legal implications.

4.2.3 Early pregnancies

More so 24% of the respondents showed that early pregnancies was contributing to

single parenthood in Moroto where the young girls were lured into irresponsible sexual

practices exposing them to early pregnancies before marriage. They could further be

exposed to STIs. This scenario is worsened when the man responsible for the

pregnancy denies responsibility. This is found mostly between these age groups

because these age groups are easily convinced and cannot be easily controlled.

4.2.4 Prostitution

More so l7% of the respondents revealed that prostitution as a coping mechanism in

the suburbs was another cause of single parenthood as most of the women were selling

their bodies to earn a living to support themselves and their families. In the process

some men refuse to use condoms, which expose women to unwanted pregnancies.

Other factors such as culture, ignorance, and living miserable lives because of neglect

from their families and those who get these women pregnant also contributed largely to

prostitution.

4.3 Problems experienced in single parenting

This was aimed at identifying the problems that were encountered by single parents in

trying to ensure proper development and well being of their children.

27

Tab~e VIII: Problems experienced in single parenting

Percentanges

16%

12%

i~ Lack of financial support fromthe spouse

~ High dependency ratio

Low incomes

Source: Field data Aprii~, 2015

4~3i. Lack of respect

From the study findings, l8% of the responses showed that parents from single headed

families lacked respect both from their children and the general public. This was mainly

because the children were left on their own most of the time at home creating a distant

relationship between them. The study further indentified that the absence of the other

parent created anger since according to them the other parent rejected responsibility

within owing to the poor state they were in. According to the community, single parents

are regarded as social misfits as this is associated with unbecoming behaviour like

prostitution.

4~3~2 Low self esteem

Basing on the findings, l2% of the responses indicated that single parents had low self

esteem. Many of them have been disappointed by their spouses and have lost hope.

This makes single parents to loose self esteem as their social status is always

28

questioned. This state of affairs is responsible for many of them resorting to prostitution

as a survival mechanism to ably take care of their children.

4~3..3 Lack of flnancia~ support

Lack of financial support from a spouse is a very big challenge to single parents. From

the study it was noted that 14% of the respondents lack financial support from their

spouses. This presents a big challenge as children require a lot of input both financial

and moral from both parents to grow and develop very well. The financial support is

very important as it was noted that many of them are managing very small businesses

with very low rates of return to maintain the family. Financial support from a spouse

makes the person feel loved and having a sense of belonging which promotes

psychological comfort to the parent and the children.

4.3A High dependency ratio

From the study findings, 40% of the responses revealed single parents faced a

challenge of high dependency ratio. Parents from such families had many children to

care for single handedly. This high number of dependants strains the already poor

parents affecting their marginal propensity to save. This is worsened by the high costs

of living within the city suburbs where these parents live.

4~3~5 Low incomes

Basing on the research results 16% of the responses indicated that single parents had a

problem of low incomes. This was because they were not employed in the formal sector

and only depended on the petty businesses that they carry out in the slums. These are

poorly paid jobs and people on such jobs cannot earn what is enough to support their

families. Most of them confessed being unable to meet the basic needs of housing,

feeding, education and medical care; and they were extremely affected by slight

fluctuations in commodity price. This was causing the vicious cycle of poverty in

homesteads, stealing among children and other unsocial behaviours.

29

4.4. Effects of sing~e parenthood on child deve’opment and w&fare.

This was intended to establish how single parenthood affects child development and

wellbeing at family levels.

Tab~e IV: Number of children in sing~e parents families

4.4.1 No education

Basing on the study findings, 14% of the responses indicated that single parents

especially females are unable to educate children. Analysis of their economic activities

indicated that all of them are employed by the informal sector which is based on natural

conditions.

“My main challenge is how to start an income-generating project that will get the

household out of poverty. I have never got any business skills training’~ said 28 year

old Juliet Namatovu, a resident of Moroto district, a testimony of lack of access to

business skills.

Percentages

D No education

~I Inadequate scholastic materials

Food insecurity

Inadequate acces to medicalservices

ii Forced labour

Source: field data April, 2015

Dispossession of property

30

The vagaries of weather negatively affect their income levels and are therefore unable

to educate their children which is a prerequisite to child wellbeing as highlighted by the

Children Statute (1998).

4.4.2 Inadequate scholastic materia’s

From the study, it was revealed that 25% of the respondents indicated that single

parent families have inadequate scholastic materials to provide to their children. As

noted earlier, these families are poor and have dependency problem which overwhelms

their capacity to provide all scholastic requirements for the children. This makes

children fail to acquire basic education as opposed to their counterparts from families

with both parents. This negatively affects their wellbeing of the children as they feel

psychologically isolated in the school setting which finally leads to school dropout.

4.4.3 Food Insecurity

Basing on the research findings, 10% of the responses showed that single parents were

facing a problem of food insecurity which affects child growth development and

wellbeing. Food is a basic need for proper child growth the lack of which is responsible

for retardation and malnourishment. Such families are characterized by capability

deprivation in terms of incomes and knowledge and are therefore unable to feed

properly their children which at the end of the day affects their wellbeing.

4.4.4 Inadequate access to medica’ services

It was noted form the study that 29% of the respondents face a challenge in procuring

medical services for their children. Given their setting, children in such families are

vulnerable to diseases exacerbated by food insecurity. This undermines children’s

immunity systems which exposes them to several diseases such malaria, diarrhoea

among others. This scenario is worsened by the fact that such parents especially

remales lack support from spouses thereby affecting their ability to access medical

services. This gravely affects the wellbeing and development of the children.

31

4~4~5 Forced Labour

Many children in the study area are engaged in forced labour as coping mechanism for

families. Children are engaged in income generating activities to assist their parents

which limit their participation in school and other social activities which would otherwise

be beneficial for their physical, mental and psycho-social development and wellbeing.

This was estimated at 5% in Moroto that is a common phenomenon in Kampala with

many children selling roasted maize, ripe bananas, groundnuts- sometimes in very

heavy baskets thereby affecting the physical development and wellbeing of the affected

children.

Children engage in labour not only because their families are poor but also because the

practice is seen as normal and indeed beneficial to their families and themselves. Some

children also feel obligated to go out as a sense of their duty towards their parents.

More worse, powerful and enduring myths and social restrictions on girls make

domestic work for girls appropriate as it offers a protective environment for and for

young children. Such myths encourage the continuance of child labour and specifically

child domestic labour.

4~4~6 Dispossession of property

Basing on the study results, l7% of the respondents revealed that single parents most

especially females were being disposed off their property after the death of their

husbands. This is done by the husband’s relatives who think that women do not have a

right to own property and this was challenging their efforts to provide for the

necessities to their families Lack of property inhibits single parents’ efforts to provide for

the families which affect children’s wellbeing and development.

32

4.5 Interventions to hellp out sing’e parents out of the soci& challenges they

experience

This was intended to find out how the different stakeholders were interviewed in the

process of helping single parents to realize a good life.

Tab’e X: Intervention to help single parents solve their challenges

Percentages

~ Sensitization

Loan and credit schemes

~i small scale projects

~ scholarstic for children

enactment of laws

Field data August, 2009

4.5.1 Sensitization

From the research findings, 39% of the respondents indicated that single parents were

being sensitized on their rights and other improved survival mechanisms. This is done

by the government and NGOs like FIDA and UWESO, SPAU. The NGO5 identified that

these single parent families are not able generate adequate income to meet the basic

through Information Education and Communication (IEC) materials such as posters,

fliers that educate women on their rights. Counseling, radio programmes and mobile

cinemas are all avenues for sensitizing single parents.

33

9%

20%13%

4.5~2 Loans and credit schemes

Basing on the study findings, l3% of the respondents indicated that loans and credits

were being offered to women either on individual basis or as women groups and

associations help them get initial capital that can be used to develop themselves

financially which finally contributes to improved wellbeing of the children. This is done

by microfinance institutions and the government under its programmes of Property for

4~5~3 Small sca~e projects

From the study results, 2O% of the respondents indicated that small scale projects were

being started for women and other single parents to help them earn income and food

to support their families. The identified activities included piggery, fruit growing, poultry

production and zero grazing cattle for milk production. These projects were being

started NGOs like NAWODE, UWESO, SPAU and GTZ which were helping single parents

to realize a better life.

4~5A. Scho~arsh~ps for chlldren

From the study findings, 19% of the respondents revealed that children from single

headed families are offered scholarships so as to help them acquire education. This is

done for children joining secondary schools where Universal Secondary Education is not

implemented. This is lessening the burden on the parents to only cater for other

scholastic necessities.

4~5~5 Enactment of ‘aws

Basing on the study results, O9% of the respondents indicated that laws have been

enacted to reduce the violation of rights of single parents. This is done through the

promotion of affirmative actions, promotion of property ownership rights and curbing

gender based violence against the female single parents.

34

4.~6 Condusion

However, the issue now is can these poor single parents (aged or young, widowed and

or separated) together with their dependants be helped to gain self esteem, helped to

start off, and capacitated to effectively offer sufficient support to themselves! Yes.

Single parents should be facilitated to identify their own problems. Civil society

organizations and government have and should continue to determine the type of social

support and where it is channeled by consulting the potential beneficiaries. Failing to

listen to, learn from, and engage with the poor single parents risks missing important

opportunities in the quest for their empowerment. Only if the poor have a say in why,

what, and how programs and projects can be made to work for them can their

wellbeing and development be improved.

35

CHAPTER FIVE

DISCUSSION, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS

This chapter discusses the findings of the study; it draws the conclusion and

recommendations of the study.

5~1 Discussion

According to objective one of the study which was to identify the problems faced by

single parents. The researcher noted that single parents face a number of problems

such as lack of respect from their children and community members, low self-esteem,

low incomes, lack of support from their spouses and family members, and

underemployment. These problems are compounded by the fact that many of them are

not educated and therefore lack the necessary skills to develop financially. This has left

many of them struggling to take care of their families. This ultimately affects the

children’s wellbeing and development.

According to objective two of the research study, it was noted that many of the

problems that the single parents face affect the wellbeing of the chi~dren. The study

revealed that single parenthood affects women more than men who are likely to find

spouses. The female parents have the burden of taking care of the children as well as

themselves without any support from the fathers. The patriarchal society views single

mothers as reckless, irresponsible women and are therefore treated as outcasts. These

put together affect the wellbeing of not only the single parent but also the child. The

child is then unable to access basic education and scholastic materials for those who

are able to go to school which later leads to dropout. They are further exposed to food

insecurity and limited access to medical services which increases their vulnerability to

diseases. Many of them are exposed to forced labour with all its disadvantages like

exploitation sometimes sexual (exposing them to HIV/AIDS and STIs) and dispossession

of family property all of which disem powered them in society.

36

The research noted that there are several intervention schemes that are in place to

address the problems that single parents face. The study found out that NGOs,

International Human Rights Agencies and the government have designed measures to

help single parents and among them are, provision of loans and credit schemes,

sponsoring children from single parent homes, sensitization and education about their

rights, enactment of laws to protect such vulnerable people, and providing them with

start up capital for small scale projects. These interventions will help single parents earn

an income to facilitate the wellbeing and development of their children.

5~2 Condus~ons

From the study findings the following conclusions have been drawn. Single parenthood

is a common phenomenon in Moroto district just like in other parts of Uganda. This cuts

across all gender aspects as females were affected as well as males. It was also noted

that it cuts across all age groups caused by death of spouse, separation, irresponsible

sexual behaviour among the youths. Females are more likely to suffer the

consequences of single parenthood as opposed to their male counterparts.

Single parents in Moroto district face many problems including low incomes

underemployment, low self esteem, and limited financial support from their spouses. All

these problems affect the wellbeing and development of children.. These problems

affect the psycho-social well being of children from single parent families in comparison

to their counterparts form families with both parents.

The children experience challenges like food insecurity, lack of scholastic materials and

other basic needs, limited or no education because of high rates of drop out and early

pregnancies which severely affect their well being and development. However,

stakeholders are putting in place strategic interventions to help single parents and

children from single parent families to improve their situation. These strategies included

sensitization about people’s rights, enactment of laws, offering scholarships to children

rorm such families, promoting the property ownership rights of single parents.

37

Uganda through government bodies, non-government and humanitarian agencies

following the Constitution of Uganda have tried to promote the rights of the children.

This is still a challenge in many parts of the country. Clearly, help is urgently needed,

yet the need frequently overtakes available help. Better opportunities for single parent

families to find work, education, and vocational training as well as proper care and

guidance for their children would bring about great improvements in the log of the

single parent family structure in Uganda.

Further more, the existence of the National Children’s Council and various government

bodies, ministries and Local Councils are responsible for the welfare of children at the

national and local levels, nevertheless regrets the inadequate coordination among these

bodies in promoting and protecting the rights of the child and developing a

comprehensive approach to the implementation of the Convention. National Children’s

Council and the other bodies, ministries and councils also lack the requisite institutional

capacity, skills and financial resources to carry out their mandates.

53 Recommendations

The study was concluded and designed the following recommendations for the different

stakeholders to address the problem of single parenthood which is rising and with

significant effects on child welfare and development.

53.1 RecommendatiOns to the government

Government should step up its efforts to sensitize and educate the women about their

rights to ensure their independence as an empowerment mechanism. This should be

done with due consideration of the gender relations in society to avoid resistance from

the males. This will help in developing the implementation framework that can easily he

understood by all stakeholders.

Government should put in place adult education and sensitization of women both on

their rights, abuse and other aspects of their lives be conducted as this in one way or

38

another will boost their capacity to understand, identify, take part in the formation and

implementation of some development activities boost their livelihoods and the

community in general.

Government should strengthen its coordination mechanisms to ensure a comprehensive

implementation framework. It should be noted that the institutions are in place but

poorly coordinated. This can be achieved with the government’s strong political will to

address the problem of single parent hood.

5~3~2 Recommendations to Non Governmentall Organizations

NGOs dealing in women emancipation and empowerment should try as much as

possible to provide women with all the necessary information about their rights and

elements of gender equality so that they can be able to understand abuses and always

seek for redress from courts of law.

NGOs should try as much as possible to harmonize their relations with the government

and develop partnerships amongst themselves so that they can have a sound force that

can easily be heard by the general public hence ensuring effectiveness in carrying out

their activities of gender equality promotion.

NGOs should at least try to give scholarships to the girls and young women to attain

education which will help them to gain skills that will help them to compete with men in

the employment world and also reduce on the education gaps between men and

women. This education will also help to reduce illiteracy rates hence reducing on the

other limiting factors.

NGOs should solicit for funds o provide services to the disadvantaged women closer in

terms of education health and empowerment. This will help women to benefit from

their efforts without first toiling so hard.

39

533 RecommendaUons to the ~ocall community

Local people should change their attitudes towards women as sex objects. This will

necessitate change in cultural values which are stereotypical and promote gender based

violence. Men should get to understand that women are equal to them irrespective of

the biological differences.

Parents should treat all children equally in terms of resource provision and education so

that both can have a chance to support them selves in future. Early and forced

marriages should be stopped so that girls can take decisions on their own.

Local communities should allow women to take part in the decision making process

both at the family level and community level. This will lead to sharing of important

knowledge which is important for community development.

Communities should improve on the gender relations so as to look at gender equity and

equality as fundamental aspects for community development and they should learn to

understand that women can perform some functions much well than men. This will

make women to participate in decision making for community development.

40

REFERENCES

African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child (1999).

Anderson, C, M, (1999): Single Parent families, Strengths, Variability and Interventions,

Vancouver University of British Columbia.

Gorlik, C. A, Pomfet, D. A (1993:pg. 253,270): Hope and Circumstance-Single Mothers

Existing Social Assistance.

GTZ, Uganda.

Lero, D. S, Brockman L. M, (1993): Single Parent Families in Canada, Thomson

Educational Publishing, Toronto.

Ministry of finance planning and Development: (2004/05-2007/08) Poverty Eradication

Action Plan (PEAP), Kampala.

Roberts P.A, Scott L, (1998): Mediating Factors in Child Development Outcomes:

Children in Lone Parent Families, Human Resource Development, Ottawa, Canada.

Ross, Scott & Smith (2000): The Canadian Fact Book of Poverty, Canadian Council on

Social Development, Ottawa.

Spector, A. N, Klodawsky, F, (1993: pg. 239-252): The housing Needs of Single Parent

Families in Canada.

Street Children Narrative, (1998), Belinda Publishers, Kampala.

Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS), 2006, Kampala.

41

Uganda Demographic and Health Survey, 2006, Macro International Inc. Maryland,

USA.

Uganda Population and Housing Census Analytical Report, October (2006), UBOS,

Kampala.

United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (1989) Ward, M, (2002: 3 Ed,

pg.209): The Family Dynamic - A Canadian Perspective, Thomson Learning. Ontario -

Canada.

White, L, (1994: Vol. 56, pg. 935 — 948): Growing up with Single Parents & Step —

parents. Long term effects on Family Solidarity, Journal of Marriage and Family.

42

APPENDIX I

QUESTIONNAIRE FOR PSYCHO-SOCIAL BACKROUND OF THE SINGLE PARENT

1. Age

(a)15-24 [](b)25-34 [1(c)35-44 [1(d) Don’t know [1

2. Sex

(a)Male [1(b) Female [1

3. Occupation (current activities)

(a) Hiring out labour [1(b) As a food vendor [1(c) Selling food stuffs by the roadside [1(d) Farming [1

4. Reason for being single

(a) Loss of spouse [1(b) Divorce [ ](c) Unmarried [](d) Separated [1

5. Do you have children (If so how many?)

6. Age group of your children

(a)5—9 [ I(b)1O-14 [ ](c)15-17 [ j

(d) Don’t know [ ]7. How many children go to school?

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8. What other activities do your children carry out?

9. What are the reasons for carry out these activities?

10. What is your educational background?

11. What is your average monthly earning?

12. Is your income enough to support your family?

13. Do you receive any external support?

14. If so what kind of support do you receive?

15. How often do you spend time with your children?

16. Do you have a very close relationship with your children?

17. What problems do you experience as a single parent?

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APPENDIX II

QUESTIONNAIRE FOR PSYCHO-SOCIAL BACKROUND OF THE CHILD

2. Age

(e)5--9 [1(f)10-14 [1(g)15-17 [1(h) Don’t know [1

18. Sex

(C) Male [1(d) Female [J

19. Who of your parents are you living with?

(e) Father only [1(f) Mother only [1(g) Other [1

20. Education background (current status)

(e) Schooling [](f) Dropped out [1(g) Completed primary [1(h) Never gone to school [1

21. Do you have children (If so how many?)

22. Education level for those at school

(e) Primary 1- 4 [1(F) Primary5 -7 El(g) Secondary [I(h) Vocational Training [I

23. Are there any activities you carry out?

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24. What are the reasons for carrying out these activities?

25. Do you receive any external support?

26. If so what kind of support do you receive?\

27. What effects do you experience living with a single parent?

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